Martin Johnson and his backs coach, Brian Smith, were at exactly the right place when they heard that Toby Flood's comeback was on hold. With only two more chances to play before the autumn internationals Flood pulled out of Leicester's hard‑fought and late-won Pool 5 game against Benetton Treviso just as Jonny Wilkinson was putting in one of those performances which has got Toulon promising the world if he will only re‑sign for another couple of years. Wilkinson landed 14 points and bossed Toulon to the late victory over the Ospreys before saying that he knew the England management team were at Stade Mayol but it had not affected his game.

"It's not a case of trying to impress and show what I can do," said Wilkinson modestly. "It's more the advice I need but I haven't spoken to them yet." There was one moment of alarm for Johnson and co, but the No10 dusted himself off after one particularly heavy tackle to announce that once again he had again come through almost unscathed.

"My knee is a bit sore now but thankfully it's my good knee," Wilkinson said. "It's a shame and sad to hear that Toby has not played but hopefully he will be involved soon."

Delve loves being a Rebel

Danny Cipriani may be (temporarily) awol, but another British international cannot stop waxing lyrical about Super 15 rugby and life with the Melbourne Rebels. The Wales international Gareth Delve says it is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" even though it has probably ruined any chance he had of playing in next year's World Cup.

Just in case Cipriani is having second thoughts, the former Gloucester No8 and captain is positively gushing. "I view this as an opportunity to play among the world's best players," he said. "That was the big attraction for me because if you can make it down here you stand at a pretty rarefied level."

As for Cipriani, the Rebels were not best pleased when "visa problems" stopped their first and highest‑profile signing from attending last week's launch party followed by a four-day training camp. "There's an issue with the visa coming out of the English side of things," said the coach, Rod Macqueen, before adding: "That's not to say it probably couldn't have been done a couple of months ago." Yesterday Cipriani was watching his old team, Wasps – on television.

Nottingham move on

The Notts County owner, Ray Trew, is close to taking over Nottingham Rugby Club after months of negotiations. Lawyers are close to signing off the deal that could help turn Nottingham into a Championship force – and turn relegation from the Premiership into an issue once more.

Gloucester riches to rags

The rag trade clearly appeals – particularly to former Gloucester players. Phil Vickery led the way with his Raging Bull clothing company. Now Ryan Lamb and Dave Ellis, No10 and defence coach for London Irish, have separately started kit companies.

Performance of the week

Jonny Wilkinson

For Toulon v Ospreys at Stade Mayol

For the way he took Toulon by the scruff after going behind to Shane Williams' cheeky try, masterminding victory and the late winning try for Paul Sackey.

Statistics

50 The number of tries Stephen Jones, the Wales fly-half more renowned for his boot, has scored in his club career for (once Llanelli, now the) Scarlets

1.3 The amount in millions of Euros reportedly being asked, per year, to tempt the New Zealand No10 Dan Carter back into European rugby